Karen Weldin Stewart’s other endorsement problem

Incumbent Insurance Commisssioner Karen Weldin Stewart, who faces a four-way Democratic primary in September, has launched her campaign website, complete with a an impressive list of political endorsements: Problem is, a lot of the lawmakers on the list are surprised to find themselves there.

Sen. Bruce Ennis, D-Smryna, and Reps. Dennis E. Williams, of Talleyville, and Debra Heffernan, of Brandywine Hundred South, say they are not endorsing Stewart in the race – or anyone for that matter – and will contact the Stewart campaign about their names being included. Sen. David McBride, D-Hawk’s Nest, has already been successful in removing his name. Ennis’ calls have gone unanswered.

“I had not endorsed her and was not involved in that primary, and don’t intend to be involved in that primary,” McBride said. “I asked them if they would kindly take that off of there before the sunset. They were apologetic.”

Stewart suffered a blow last month when the Democratic party ignored her incumbency and backed primary challenger Mitch Crane, a former employee of Stewart’s in the insurance department. Her long list of endorsements would seem to suggest that Stewart retains broad support – but now it’s unclear if that’s true. She did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Crane, for his part, is not amused with Stewart’s endorsement mishap. He said three state senators have called him to explain that they had not, in fact, endorsed Stewart despite seeing their names on her endorsement list. “Endorsements are important in a political race. They indicate to voters that a candidate is being supported by someone they know and respect…It is beyond me how a candidate for office can post on her website the names of prominent elected officials without making sure the endorsements are correct,” Crane said.

Stewart also faces Dennis Spivack, a former Congressional candidate and deputy attorney general, and insurance agent Paul Gallagher in the September 11 primary. Stewart, it should be noted, does have supporters. The Wilmington City Democratic Executive Committee announced its unanimous endorsement of Stewart on Tuesday. Retiring state Rep. Dennis P. Williams, who is looking to become Wilmington’s next mayor, said in an interview that “I’m going to support Karen Weldin Stewart. She’s the incumbent. I think she’s done the best that she can do and I think she deserves a second term,” Williams said.

Others have planned to wait out the insurance commissioner primary. Heffernan said Stewart’s had not even asked for her endorsement, despite her name appearing on the web list. “I haven’t endorsed anyone in that race. I’m really pretty busy with my own race now,” said Heffernan. “I’ll have to talk to her about that. Karen is our only statewide woman elected (official). I believe that’s pretty strong for women in Delaware. But I don’t know anything about the website.”

As co-chair of the House committee that deals with insurance issues, Dennis E. Williams felt it was “not appropriate to take a position for or against current commissioner. I said early on that I was remaining neutral,” Williams said. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to them yet and see why they put my name up there.”

UPDATE: Add Sen. Bruce Ennis, D-Smyrna, to the list of fictional endorsements. “I haven’t endorsed anybody and usually don’t. I think the people should decide,” Ennis said. “Once the primary is over, I generally get behind candidates. She just must assume that because we attend these events together, that I’m endorsing her. But I’m not endorsing anybody. I have called her headquarters but I can’t get an answer there.”

About Jonathan Starkey

Jonathan Starkey covers state government and politics for The News Journal. He previously worked on the business desk, writing about DuPont, AstraZeneca and insurance issues. Starkey, a native of Dover, has been with the paper since February 2010. He lives in Middletown. Follow Starkey on Twitter @jwstarkey, and email tips or feedback to jstarkey@delawareonline.com.

Guidelines: You share in the delawareonline.com community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse.

We're using Facebook Comments on articles to create a more civil environment for conversation. To find out more, please visit the FAQ.